TAMBUNAN: The Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia remains committed to improving access and quality of healthcare services nationwide, with a special emphasis on rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak.
Deputy Minister of Health, Lukanisman Awang Sauni, said MOH has implemented various health infrastructure projects, including village clinics, health clinics and hospitals, to ensure that health services can be enjoyed by all levels of society.
He cited the Sunsuron Health Clinic which provides maternal and child health services, outpatient services, pharmacy, TB and malaria laboratories, as well as other primary health programmes with minimal or exemption of fees.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“The clinic also benefits more than 8,138 local residents,” he said when officiating the new building and upgrade of the rural clinic to the Nambayan Health Clinic, here.
He also assured he will look into the issues faced by Tambunan Hospital, which was raised by Deputy Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan).
“I will visit the hospitals in Sabah more often and also review the differences in facilities in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He said 55 health clinics in rural areas will be upgraded or built this year in an effort to provide more comfortable and quality healthcare services.
On the Sunsuron and Nambayan Health Clinics, the Deputy Minister of Health described the upgrading of the building as not only a symbol of progress in physical and infrastructure aspects but also a reflection of the government’s commitment, especially the Ministry of Health in strengthening primary health services in rural areas and the Interior.
“The Sunsuron Health Clinic and the upgrading of the Nambayan village clinic are among the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Health to ensure that people, regardless of geographical location, have access to quality, safe and people-friendly health services.
“This clinic is not just a place to get treatment, but also a referral centre, health promotion and health education,” he said.
Lukanisman said realising the need for this clinic in providing health services to the surrounding population, the MOH has approved the upgrade.
“I understand that this upgrade work involves repairing the building structure, improving basic facilities such as the electricity and water systems, as well as adding treatment rooms to improve the comfort and efficiency of services.
Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister I cum Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Sabah Health Department Director, Dr Maria Sulaiman and MOH officials.
